The value of specialty crops covered by the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) has grown substantially since 2011. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the value increased from …
Specialty Crop Priorities for 2023 Farm Bill
Comprised of more than 200 specialty crop organizations, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has highlighted areas of importance for the next farm bill. The alliance representing producers of …
Specialty Crop Producers to Receive Food Safety Assistance from USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to make up to $200 million in assistance available to specialty crop producers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced plans to provide funding support …
New Coalition Seeks Additional IR-4 Funding to Support Specialty Crops
A new coalition has come together to encourage further support of specialty crops with increased IR-4 funding. The IR-4 Project was initially established in 1963 to aid in the development …
Nearly $73 Million Available Through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
A total of $72.9 million is being made available through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Grant funding is aimed at supporting …
California Receives Significant Specialty Crop Investment
California producers will be benefitting from significant specialty crop investment made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Nearly $170 is being invested through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program …
Funding Available to Support Specialty Crop Production
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting applications for multiple programs designed to aid in specialty crop production. Proposals are currently being accepted for the 2022 Specialty …
PRS Grant Program to Aid with COVID Related Costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $650 million in the Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program. The PRS grant program is aimed at supporting farmers and ranchers …
Organic and Specialty Crop Insurance Purchases Increase Substantially
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has noted that interest in crop insurance has been steadily increasing among producers. Organic and specialty crop growers have been purchasing insurance coverage at …
Specialty and Exotic Produce Delivery Possible with New Sysco Partnership
The Sysco Corporation, will now be offering next-day delivery of specialty and exotic produce items throughout the country, thanks to a recently announced partnership. The company’s e-Commerce platform, Supplies on …
Proposed Bill to Spur Agriculture Innovation
Central Coast Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) introduced new legislation that will incentivize mechanization and other innovation in specialty crop production. In a press release, Panetta said, “The Specialty Crop Mechanization …
California Sets the Bar for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
California led the nation in the amount of funding received through the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Of the more than $72 million that the U.S. Department of …
CDFA Accepting 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Applications
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Each year, CDFA conducts a two-phase competitive solicitation process …
Funding to Support Specialty Crop Pest Management
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $11 million in available funding through the Minor Crop Pest Management Program (also known as Interregional …